Deep Vein Thrombosis Claims

Deep Vein Thrombosis Compensation Claims

Our team of solicitors have helped to secure compensation for patients who have experienced a deep vein thrombosis misdiagnosis. They are specialists in DVT compensation claims and have the specific skills needed to fight your case effectively. Where a medical practitioner has failed to recognize or treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can amount to negligence entitling a person to compensation.

Deep vein thrombosis affects approximately 1 in every 1000 of the UK population. Since 2010 the rate of patients undergoing a deep vein thrombosis assessment increased from 45% up to 96%. It is an international patient safety issue and a priority for the NHS. That is why DVT claims may be on the increase.

Below you can find out more information about deep vein thrombosis claims, whether you have suffered with deep vein thrombosis and whether this was properly identified and treated. If there was a failure to do this, then you may be entitled to claim compensation. To find out more telephone our team of specialist solicitors on 0800 644 4240 or complete our free claims assessment.

What is DVT?

DVT stand for Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot which forms in the deep veins of the body. They usually develop in the legs or pelvic area. It this is left untreated because of misdiagnosis the blood clot can travel through the veins and create a blockage in the major pulmonary artery which can prevent the blood reaching the lungs. This is referred to as a pulmonary embolism.

Many people who hear of deep vein thrombosis often associate it with air travel whereas the association of deep vein thrombosis with hospitalization is not well known. Evidence shows that the risk of dying from deep vein thrombosis is at least 1000 times greater than dying from deep vein thrombosis as a consequence of air travel. One in 20 people will develop deep vein thrombosis at some point in their life. That is why dvt claims are so serious. Medical professionals need to be able to identify and treat this increasingly common condition in order to avoid DVT Claims.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

In many cases deep vein thrombosis is detected and treated successfully. However, there are occasions where this is not the case. A medical practitioner should be able to spot the signs of deep vein thrombosis. Their failure to do so could result in serious harm and be a potential case for medical negligence.

The signs of deep vein thrombosis include:

• Pain in one of your legs
• Swelling and tenderness in one of your legs
• A heavy ache in the affected area
• Redness in the skin of the affected area
• Raised temperature of the affected area

If there is a failure to diagnose deep vein thrombosis then the consequences can be severe. Delayed treatment can result in a pulmonary embolism, in fact one in 10 people with deep vein thrombosis go onto develop a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can cause breathlessness, chest pain and can even be fatal.

Our Solicitors are experts in dvt compensation Claims. You can contact them today by completing our quick Free Claim Assessment or call us on 0800 644 4240.

Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Any person can develop deep vein thrombosis but it is more common for people over the age of 40, and there are certain risk factors which include;

• A history of deep vein thrombosis
• Blood vessel damage
• Being immobile or inactive for long periods of time (such as after an operation)
• A family history of blood clots
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Use of the combined contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy

Medical professionals need to be aware of the above risk factors so that they can investigate at risk patients for possible deep vein thrombosis. If they fail to do this it often leads to Deep Vein Thrombosis Claims.

How is Deep Vein Thrombosis Investigated?

If you attend your GP or hospital complaining of symptoms of deep vein thrombosis then your GP or hospital doctor should take a medical history and detailed history of symptoms.

Once at hospital there are different ways to investigate deep vein thrombosis. They are:

• D – dimer test

This is a specialized blood test. The test detects pieces of blood clot that have been broken down and are loose in the blood stream. The larger the number of fragments found the more likely it is that a blood clot is in the vein. However, this type of test is not always reliable and other tests such as ultrasound should be carried out.

• Ultrasound scan

An ultrasound scan is used to detect blood clots in the veins. A special type of ultrasound scan known as a Doppler ultrasound can also be carried out to find out how fast the blood is flowing through a blood vessel. If the blood flow is slow this is an indicator that the blood is being slowed down by the presence of a clot.

• Venogram

If an ultrasound or d-dimer test have not been able to detect a clot then a venogram is usually performed. A liquid called a contrast dye is injected into a vein in the foot. The dye travels up the leg and is detected by an x-ray. This will highlight a gap in the blood vessel where a clot is stopping the flow of blood.

If there was a failure to carry out these investigations when you attended your GP or hospital then you may be entitled to claim for compensation for deep vein thrombosis misdiagnosis. DVT compensation Claims allow you to receive justice for the negligence you have suffered.

Once diagnosed it is essential that treatment is provided straight away. The appropriate treatment for deep vein thrombosis is prescribing anticoagulant medication. Anticoagulant medication reduces the blood clotting and stops the existing clots from getting any bigger. Examples are Warfarin and Heparin. If this treatment is provided quickly and properly Deep Vein Thrombosis Claims can be avoided.

You should also be provided with compression stockings to wear every day for at least 2 years, and your prescription should be reviewed every 3 to 6 months. Your doctor or consultant should be advising you to exercise and walk regularly. They should also be advising you that when resting you should raise your leg. This will help return blood flow from your calf.

Another way to treat deep vein thrombosis is inferior vena cava filters. This treatment is used when anticoagulant medication is not working. Inferior vena cava filters are mesh devices that can be placed in a vein. They trap large fragments of blood clots and stop them travelling to the heart and lungs.

The procedure for inserting these devices is done under local anesthetic. A small cut is made into the skin and then a catheter is inserted into the vein in the neck or groin. This is then guided using an ultrasound scan. The inferior vena cava device is then inserted through the catheter and into the vein.

What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis Claim?

Deep Vein Thrombosis Claim often relate to a complete misdiagnosis or delayed misdiagnosis of the condition by a medical professional. Medics must be aware of the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis in order to identify and treat it. If they are not, they may have been negligent which leads to Deep Vein Thrombosis Claims.

There are two main recognized complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis which are a pulmonary embolism and post thrombotic syndrome.

A pulmonary embolism is where the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. It is the most serious complication and can cause chest pain and breathlessness. In some cases it can cause heart failure.

Post thrombotic syndrome is where the blood clot in the vein diverts the blood flow to other veins causing an increase in pressure. This can cause symptoms such as swelling, calf pain, a rash, and ulcers.

These complications are serious and it is important that if you develop deep vein thrombosis it is recognized quickly. If the diagnosis is missed then you may be entitled to claim compensation for deep vein thrombosis misdiagnosis. Other examples of negligence in these cases are:

• Surgical errors such as inadvertent insertion of the inferior vena cava device
• Failure to provide the appropriate medication and treatment following a diagnosis
• A GP’s failure to refer to the hospital

If you have suffered with deep vein thrombosis and you feel that something was missed or not right with the treatment provided you should contact our team of expert solicitors who can help with DVT compensation claims.

No Win No Fee DVT Claims

Our medical negligence solicitors will represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. There is no cost to you if the claim is unsuccessful. You will obtain the maximum compensation available to you. Our solicitors will also discuss any other options that are available regarding you case.

How Much Compensation For DVT Claims?

The amount of compensation you could receive for a deep vein thrombosis claims varies depending on the impact of the medical mistake. The amount of compensation you are awarded will depend on the extent of your suffering and the details of your case. It will also depend on your personal circumstances.

Our solicitors will be able to guide you through the levels of compensation available based on your own circumstances. Contact them today for a Free Case Assessment.